Rhode Island Commerce Corporation

CESA Member Rhode Island

The Rhode Island Commerce Corporation (Commerce RI) is the full service, official economic development organization for the state of Rhode Island.

The Commerce Corporation Renewable Energy Fund (REF) is dedicated to increasing the role of renewable energy throughout the state. The REF hopes to develop an integrated organizational structure for RI and its citizens to reap the full benefits of the cost-effective renewable energy development from diverse sources.

REF provides grants and loans for renewable energy projects with the potential to make electricity in a cleaner, more sustainable manner, while stimulating job growth in the green technology and energy sectors of Rhode Island’s economy. Using funds from the “system benefit charge” on electric bills and Alternative Compliance Payments, the Commerce Corporation funds renewable energy projects in small-scale solar, commercial development, pre-development feasibility studies, and early stage commercialization.